Join the World AIDS Day Thunderclap for HIV Testing & Services

We know that using social media can be a powerful way to communicate our messages, and we’re always looking at how we can amplify those messages even more.

Last August, Howto.gov hosted a webinar on Thunderclap, a new online tool designed to create action with social media (you can view the webinar here). It inspired us to think about how we could use that service to amplify some of our messages about HIV/AIDS.

Creating our Thunderclap

Thunderclap describes itself as “the first-ever crowd-speaking platform that helps people be heard by saying something together.” After assessing the site, we at AIDS.gov signed up to host a campaign. Thunderclap provides each host with a customizable landing page that features a message (140 characters or less) with a link related to a campaign. We set supporter goal size (100 people), who then grant permission for the message to be released through their own Twitter, Facebook, and/or Tumblr account(s). If our Thunderclap does not reach its supporter goal, our message is not released.

Once the Thunderclap campaign reaches its goal of gaining enough supporters, the message will be broadcast through supporters’ social networks simultaneously at the date and time the host picked. The idea is that the message “rises above the noise” of social networks “creating a wave of attention.”

How are we using it?

On World AIDS Day, we want to talk about HIV as widely as possible – especially with those we may not reach during the rest of the year. We thought hosting a Thunderclap would give us the potential to reach widely and loudly, within and beyond the HIV community. After some brainstorming, we developed a World AIDS Day message that links to the HIV Testing Sites & Care Services Locator tool. The campaign is now in progress, and we want to make a big impact! As of today, we have four days left to reach our goal of at least 100 supporters. But it doesn’t end there – the more people who sign up as supporters, the more the message will be amplified.

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